The first wing to graduate from the RNZPC's Auckland campus has been congratulated on their achievement and will soon be boosting the frontline in Northland and across Tāmaki Makaurau.
The campus was opened earlier this year to cater for both senior police courses and recruit courses, and the 37 graduates of Wing 390 have successfully led the way for the next wing to start training at the campus in February 2026.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, members of the police executive and wing patron, the Rt Hon Sir John Key, marked this milestone moment today while families and friends proudly watched as the newly attested police officers marched out at Barfoot and Thompson Stadium, Auckland.
In his speech at the graduation, Commissioner Chambers remembered that on their first day of training most wing members indicated the Auckland-based training had made it possible for them to join Police.
"I'm delighted that we have allowed you to be police officers by allowing you to train here in Auckland," he said.
The top award winner for Wing 390 is Constable Samuel Treasure, who will be working in Counties Manukau District. Samuel first joined Police several years ago as a Communicator in Police's Northern Communications Centre, and is excited to be taking his Police career in a new direction.
He has previously completed a degree in criminology and philosophy, and a post-graduate degree in psychology, and says his strong interest in criminal psychology has led to him joining the frontline and aiming for the CIB in the future.
"Training in Auckland was the best option for me, being able to go home at the end of the day. The training facilities were great and wing was incredibly supportive of each other.
"I particularly enjoyed putting the theory we were learning in class into practice during scenarios, and I'm really looking forward to continuing the learning on the frontline."
Like Samuel, Constable Mariam Arif was well acquainted with working for Police. Mariam was an Ethnic Liaison Officer and has also worked in the Northern Communications Centre.
She speaks Arabic and te reo Māori, and has a degree in communication and a post-graduate diploma in interpreting.
"I joined the Police eight years ago not with the intention of becoming constabulary but with a desire to bring a unique perspective and skillset to this organisation in the hopes of achieving better outcomes for communities.
"I found purpose and pride in my non-constabulary role, and did make notable strides in getting those better outcomes by trying different things and building new bridges. But over the years, some colleagues and leaders saw something and encouraged me to consider the blue uniform - to go further and reach higher."
Now that she's wearing a Police uniform Mariam says it feels like "a blue wave of opportunity for me to add value and make a difference… it's like wearing the cape to make good things happen."
Mariam is posted to Waitematā District.
Leadership award winner, Constable Yon Jarvis says the course has been an amazing experience and is full of praise for the training staff.
"They have made the training feel seamless and really pulled through for us to make it work as the first wing to train at the RNZPC's Auckland campus."
Yon has a degree in archaeology and has previously worked as a ceramicist in her own business. In the past she has used her creative skills as a volunteer, such as running workshops to help women who have been in violent relationships talk about their experiences while creating artworks.
"This made me feel like I needed to do something more in my community, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring for Police, and here I am. With one of my three children still at home, being able to train in Auckland just made sense."
Yon says she likes a challenge and particularly enjoyed getting hands on during the training scenarios. She is hoping for a future career in Youth Aid as she feels passionate about supporting children to lead fulfilling lives.
Yon is looking forward to working in Waitematā District.
Second in wing is Constable Lance Thompson (Ngāti Paoa). Lance says he has thought about joining Police almost his entire life, so this graduation is the fulfilment of a long-held goal.
Lance has previously worked in a range of roles including as a butcher, personal trainer and Corrections Officer.
"Police has always been something I've been passionate about, as I like doing the right thing for people, helping people through things. I can communicate well and as a police officer I want to be able to give people the time to tell me what they need and want."
On the day Lance applied for the Auckland wing, his second child was born.
"Training in Auckland meant I could go home at the end of the day and be with my family. They kept me centred and grounded, and were a reminder of why I had taken on the training - I'm doing it for them as well as to serve the community."
Lance is posted to Waitematā District.
Deployment:
The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on the week beginning Monday 24 November 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.
Northland 6, Tāmaki Makaurau 31, including Auckland City 7, Waitematā 11, Counties Manukau 13.
All Awards:
Minister's Award recognising top student: Constable Samuel Treasure, posted to Counties Manukau District.
Commissioner's Award for Leadership and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Yon Jarvis, posted to Waitematā District.
Patron's Award for second top student: Constable Lance Thompson, posted to Waitematā District.
Firearms Award: Constable Bjorn Haycock, posted to Waitematā District.
Driver Training and Road Policing Award: Constable Stephen Graves, posted to Auckland City District.
Demographics:
29.7 percent are female, 70.3 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 51.4 percent of the wing, with Māori 13.5 percent, Pasifika 2.7 percent, Asian 27 percent, LAAM 5.4 percent.
Wing Patron:
Wing Patron, the Right Honourable Sir John Key, was the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to December 2016, successfully leading the National Party to three election victories before retiring from politics at the end of 2016.
He led the country through the aftermath of the global financial crisis and a series of devastating earthquakes in Christchurch.
Sir John entered politics after a successful career in investment banking. In 2017 he was made a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, which brings with it the title of Sir John.
He was also recognised by the Australian Government and has been appointed an Honorary Companion in the Order of Australia.
The University of Canterbury awarded Sir John an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce in 2017. He graduated from the university in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy.
Sir John contributes to several boards, he chairs the Board of Oritain Global (NZ) and the Advisory Board for Bolt Group (Australia), and he is an advisor to a range of organisations.
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